Family With 6 Children Rescued From Shawangunk Ridge Hiking Trail

Hike Safely During New York Summer Heatwaves

Back when we were going through our first heatwave of the season, the Department of Environmental Conservation shared a few tips for hikers brave enough to hit the trails in the heat.

Water is always important. The DEC states that hikers should bring "at least 2 liters of water" and you should add 1+ liters of water for every 2 hours of hiking.

On longer hikes they recommend brining a water filter with you. Pack salty snacks too, to keep your electrolytes up.

READ MORE: Hiking in NY During a Heatwave? Keep These Safety Tips in Mind

On of the most important pieces of advice? "You can always hike another day-the mountains will still be there. If you're heading out, have fun, stay cool, and be safe."

Take a look below at some additional hiking safety tips below:

Family of 8 Rescued While Hiking Shawangunk Ridge Trail

Those hiking tips could have come in handy for a family hiking in Ulster County recently.

The DEC shared in a press release back on July 20th, 2025, a family of 8 needed rescuing while hiking the Shawangunk Ridge trail on one of the hotter days this summer.

According to the press release, Forest Rangers were notified about "two parents and their six children dehydrated and potentially lost in the Shawangunk Ridge State Forest."

Several agencies responded along with Forest Ranger Rusher including the NYS Police and and Burlingham, Cragsmoor, Ellenville, and Walker Valley Fire Departments

When first responders arrived at the scene they found a 14-year-old member of the family at the Cox Road parking lot with 3 more children.

The mother and another child also made it out, however the father and the 6th child "were lost on the other side of the mountain.

After about a 2 hour search, Forest Rangers Rusher found the father and child. Ellenville medics "determined the father should be brought to the hospital due to lethargy and low blood sugar."

Dangerous Hiking Trails Across the Hudson Valley Region

According to All Trails the Shawangunk Ridge Trail is "Generally considered a challenging route."

It takes a little over 5 hours to complete and has steep inclines and several rocky areas.

There are several Hudson Valley trails that are made for more experienced hikers. Some are even considered dangerous, like Breakneck Ridge. While the Dutchess County trail is currently closed, it is considered one of the more dangerous hikes after  many hikers have injured themselves on the trail.

READ MORE: Are These 5 of The Most Dangerous Hikes in the Hudson Valley?

Since the 1980s, there have been 9 recorded deaths on Breakneck Ridge.